Dreng fodrer ænder (1879)

Michael Ancher's 1879 oil painting, *Dreng fodrer ænder* ("Boy Feeding Ducks"), is a vibrant depiction of rural life that captures the innocence and simplicity of childhood. Set against a rustic backdrop, this artwork tenderly portrays a young boy engrossed in the act of feeding ducks.In the painting, the boy is seated on a wooden doorstep, his legs barefoot and gently dangling. His expression, focused and slightly amused, fills the scene with warmth and liveliness. He holds a brown pot, intricately decorated with golden motifs, from which he carefully scoops feed for the anticipating ducks gathered around him.The detail in the boy’s clothing—a light blue shirt and patched brown trousers—emphasizes a life led close to nature, unbothered by the luxuries of urban living. Light plays a crucial role in this composition, highlighting the golden hues of the boy’s hair and the vibrant reflections on the ducks’ feathers, which add a sense of motion and realism to the scene.Ancher’s brushwork is meticulous; every texture, from the rough wooden doorframe to the soft down of the ducks, is rendered with precision, inviting viewers to step into a moment frozen in time. This painting not only celebrates the joy found in everyday chores but also evokes a nostalgia for a life intertwined with nature, seen through the eyes of a child.